Status:	Final
Date:	14 APR 1975
Time:	22:05
Type:	Swearingen SA226-AT Merlin IV
Operator:	Magnavox Corporation
Registration:	N960M
C/n / msn:	AT-005
First flight:	1972
Crew:	Fatalities: 2 / Occupants: 2
Passengers:	Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 0
Total:	Fatalities: 2 / Occupants: 2
Airplane damage:	Written off
Airplane fate:	Written off (damaged beyond repair)
Location:	1 km (0.6 mls) SW of Southern Pines-Pinehurst Airport, NC (SOP) (United States of America)
Phase:	Approach (APR)
Nature:	Executive
Departure airport:	Flushing Airport, NY, United States of America
Destination airport:	Southern Pines-Pinehurst Airport, NC (SOP), United States of America

Narrative:
The Merlin IV hit trees half a mile short of runway 05. The pilot attempted a visual approach; patches of fog were present in the area.

PROBABLE CAUSE(S):
pilot in command - spatial disorientation
FACTOR(S)
weather - low ceiling
weather - rain
weather - fog
weather briefing - briefing received-method unknown

Sources:
» NTSB